Name/Title
Men’s Blue Wool SwimsuitDescription
Men's bathing suit. Plain blue shirt and shorts. Dark blue, light grey, light blue striped top, with 3 belt loops, no belt, with circular openings in each side.Use
by Audry Norman Thurston (1895-1987), in the 1920s.Context
Note Found:
May, 1991
"I, Lorene Rice, am donating this swimsuit that was passed down through the Thurston family. It was likely worn by one of our ancestors while swimming at the Porter Pool in town. The suit dates to the 1930s and would have been made for a male. Most public pools and swimming areas required men to cover their chest up until the early 1900s. As these rules started to loosen by the 1920s and 1930s, many mens suits started having cutouts on the side like this one. It would have originally had a belt with it but that is long gone. The suit is made of wool so the belt would have held up the suit once it became wet and very heavy. "
"Since we had a J.C. Penny in town at the time, I assume this was bought locally."Collection
Lorene RiceAcquisition
Accession
1991.006Source or Donor
Lorene RiceAcquisition Method
DonationClothing/Dress/Costume Details
Article of Clothing/Dress/Costume
SwimsuitClothing Sex
MaleTextile Details
Fabric
Worsted WoolColor
Multicolor, Blue, GrayMade/Created
Manufacturer
JCPenneyDate made
circa 1920Time Period
20th CenturyRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Audry Norman ThurstonPerson or Organization
Amy Shadley ThurstonCreate Date
April 24, 2003Update Date
August 19, 2024
